Device Recognition Method

Abstract

In one example first and second remotely communicating devices (RCDs) are physically mated and handshake information is transferred to allow the first RCD to recognize signals from the second RCD. The RCDs are physically separated and signals from the second RCD are recognized by the first RCD. In some examples the physically mating step is carried out using magnetic materials. In some examples the handshake information is transferred wirelessly. In another example an actuator device is physically mated with a first RCD causing the first RCD to enter a first device recognition state for a first period of time. The actuator device is physically separated from the first RCD. A second RCD is mated with an actuator device within the first period of time causing the second RCD to enter a second device recognition state to permit handshake information to be remotely transferred between the RCDs thereby enabling the first RCD to recognize signals from the second RCD.

1 . A method for device recognition comprising:
 physically mating first and second remotely communicating devices (RCDs) followed by:
 transferring handshake information between the first and second RCDs thereby enabling at least the first RCD to subsequently recognize signals from the second RCD; 
   physically separating the first and second RCDs; and   recognizing signals from the second RCD by the first RCD.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the physically mating step comprises mating at least one magnet on at least one of the first and second RCDs with a magnetic material on the other of the first and second RCDs. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 2  wherein the at least one magnet mating step comprise contacting a magnet on the first RCD with a magnet on the second RCD. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 3  wherein the magnet contacting step comprises creating an electric circuit through the magnets on the first and second RCDs. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the physically mating step comprises creating an electric circuit between the first and second RCDs. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the physically separating step is carried out after the handshake information transferring step. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the handshake information transferring step comprises wirelessly transferring the handshake information. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the handshake information transferring step enables the second RCD to subsequently recognize signals from the first RCD, and wherein the signals recognizing step further comprises recognizing signals from the first RCD by the second RCD. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1  further comprising:
 physically mating a third RCD with at least one of the first and second RCDs followed by:
 remotely transferring handshake information between the third RCD and at least one of the first and second RCDs thereby enabling:
 at least one of the first and second RCDs to subsequently recognize signals from the third RCD; or 
 the third RCD to subsequently recognize signals from at least one of the first and second RCDs; or 
 at least one of the first and second RCDs to subsequently recognize signals from the third RCD, and the third RCD to subsequently recognize signals from at least one of the first and second RCDs; 
 
   physically separating the third RCD from the at least one of the first and second RCDs; and   recognizing signals by:
 at least one of the first and second RCDs from the third RCD; or 
 the third RCD from at least one of the first and second RCDs; or 
 at least one of the first and second RCDs from the third RCD, and the third RCD from at least one of the first and second RCDs. 
   
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 1  further comprising providing a signal to a user during the handshake information transferring step. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 1  where on the physically mating step comprises providing the user a visual, tactile and auditory indication that the devices are properly connected to one another. 
   
   
       12 . A method for device recognition comprising:
 physically mating an actuator device with a first remotely communicating device (first RCD) causing the first RCD to enter a first device recognition state for a first period of time;   physically separating the actuator device from the first RCD;   physically mating the same actuator device or a different actuator device with a second RCD within the first period of time causing the second RCD to enter a second device recognition state for a second period of time;   remotely transferring handshake information within the first period of time between the first and second RCDs thereby enabling at least the first RCD to subsequently recognize signals from the second RCD; and   recognizing signals from the second RCD by the first RCD.   
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the first RCD transmits a first device recognition signal during the first device recognition state. 
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the second RCD transmits a second device recognition signal during the second device recognition state. 
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the first RCD physically mating step comprises mating at least one magnet on at least one of the actuator device and the first RCD with a magnetic material on the other of the actuator device and the first RCD. 
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein the at least one magnet mating step comprises contacting a magnet on the actuator device with a magnet on the first RCD. 
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the first RCD physically mating step comprises creating an electric circuit between the actuator device and the first RCD. 
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 12  physically separating the second RCD from the same or different actuator device after the handshake information transferring step. 
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the signals recognizing step further comprises recognizing signals from the first RCD by the second RCD. 
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 12  further comprising:
 physically mating the same actuator device or a different actuator device with a third RCD within at least one of the first and second periods of time causing the third RCD to enter a third device recognition state for a third period of time;   remotely transferring handshake information within at least one of the first and second periods of time between the third RCD and at least one of the first and second RCDs thereby enabling:
 at least one of the first and second RCDs to subsequently recognize signals from the third RCD; or 
 the third RCD to subsequently recognize signals from at least one of the first and second RCDs; or 
   at least one of the first and second RCDs to subsequently recognize signals from the third RCD, and the third RCD to subsequently recognize signals from at least one of the first and second RCDs; and   recognizing signals by:
 at least one of the first and second RCDs from the third RCD; or 
 the third RCD from at least one of the first and second RCDs; or 
 at least one of the first and second RCDs from the third RCD, and the third RCD from at least one of the first and second RCDs. 
   
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 20  further comprising physically separating the same or different actuator device from the third RCD. 
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 12  further comprising providing a first signal to a user while the first RCD is in the first device recognition state and providing a second signal to the user while the second RCD is in the second device recognition state. 
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 12  further comprising providing a first visual signal to a user by the first RCD while the first RCD is in the first device recognition state and providing a second visual signal to the user by the second RCD while the second RCD is in the second device recognition state. 
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the physically mating steps comprise providing the user a visual, tactile and auditory indication that the devices are properly connected to one another. 
   
   
       25 . A method for device recognition comprising:
 actuating a first remotely communicating device (first RCD) causing the first RCD to enter a first device recognition state for a first period of time;   actuating a second RCD within the first period of time causing the second RCD to enter a second device recognition state for a second period of time;   remotely transferring handshake information within the first period of time between the first and second RCDs thereby enabling at least the first RCD to subsequently recognize signals from the second RCD; and   recognizing signals from the second RCD by the first RCD.   
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 25  wherein the first actuating step is carried out by actuating a button on the first RCD.